2011 Tata Nano Europa

A not-so-basic version of Indias bargain car is headed for Europe.

“I think the days when you designed a car that worked for one particular market are over. There are no more borders,” said Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, at the 2009 Geneva auto show shortly before the debut of the Indian company’s Nano Europa. Tata Motors is hoping that what works in India—namely, a four-door hatchback priced as low as $2000—will appeal to budget-conscious car buyers in other markets, too.

Originally conceived to meet the most basic automotive needs of car buyers in emerging markets, the basic Tata Nano set to be launched in India on March 23 is a far cry from the luxurious version seen here in Geneva. The Indian Nano is spartan, to say the least, but the Nano Europa sports twin airbags, leather seats, a stereo system, and much higher quality interior plastics. The Nano was first seen over a year ago at the New Delhi auto expo.

"We hope to launch the Nano Europa in 2010 or 2011," said Ratan Tata. Pricing and many technical details are still being kept secret, but Tata Motors did confirm that European Nanos would have a more powerful three-cylinder engine in place of the Indian model’s tiny, 33-hp, 623cc two-cylinder.

A five-speed manual transmission is fitted to the Nano Europa, whereas the basic model makes do with a four-speed gearbox. Stability control and other luxury touches will be available, although Tata has not decided which features will be standard equipment.

This was this author’s first time in the cabin of any Nano, and the interior is much more impressive than imagined. Panel fit is good and, while it’s not exactly a posh ride, the upright driving position seems comfortable and most major controls are well-positioned on the dash. Room in the back is also very impressive for such a small car. One gripe: the dials for the climate controls had a gritty movement and felt as if they’d break after a few cycles.

In comments before the official launch, Ratan Tata confirmed that U.S. sales of the Nano remain a possibility. “We have been looking at the U.S.,” he said, adding that prototypes are under development. However, any American arrival of the Nano would not happen before the European launch. That means 2011 or 2012 at the very earliest.